KR102023800B1 - Connecting device for connecting a target object to a towing vehicle for test driving for functionally testing a driver assistance system and corresponding test arrangement - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention connects the target object 1 with the tow vehicle 3 so as to test the driving test, in particular the function of the driver assistance system mounted on the test vehicle 7 for a driving test which is close to and actually collides with the collision. Device 4 and the test equipment in which it is used.

Description

CONNECTING DEVICE FOR CONNECTING A TARGET OBJECT TO A TOWING VEHICLE FOR TEST DRIVING FOR FUNCTIONALLY TESTING A DRIVER ASSISTANCE SYSTEM AND CORRESPONDING TEST ARRANGEMENT}

The present invention relates to a device for connecting a target object with a tow vehicle, which device is for a driving test for testing the function of a driver assistance system and corresponding test equipment in which the device is used.

Vehicle safety continues to improve as passive safety features continue to evolve in recent decades. In addition to passive systems that reduce the consequences after an accident, active safety systems to prevent accidents and to reduce the effects of accidents become increasingly important. In the event of an accident while driving, in order to reduce the impact of the accident or ideally to completely prevent any collision, some manufacturers have so-called assistance systems and assisted brakes or emergency assisted brake systems with inter-vehicle distance adjustment and inter-vehicle warning. Supply this equipped system. This kind of assistance system uses radar sensors, cameras and / or lasers to recognize the preceding vehicle and alert the driver when there is a risk of collision. Thus, these driver assistance systems are usually based on sensor devices that collect information about the surroundings. If the driver does not respond to these warnings or if a collision cannot be avoided, the system automatically starts an autonomous braking process. This can reduce the speed of collisions or even prevent accidents altogether. Also known in the field of active safety systems are systems in which a vehicle autonomously avoids obstacles when recognizing a collision, for example a system that performs autonomous avoidance behavior.

The present invention basically relates to test equipment for driving tests, in which the target object can be towed behind the tow vehicle, in particular for testing the above mentioned safety and auxiliary systems. In particular, it is possible to track crash accidents that the test vehicle hits the target. In this case the invention relates in particular to a device for connecting the target object with the tow vehicle. At this time, any target object (target), in this case the best, is a light and relatively soft dummy vehicle (such as a so-called balloon-car with rollers or wheels) connected to the towing vehicle with a linkage. Towing behind this vehicle.

Currently known systems are the ADAC (Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil-Club e. V.) system, in which slides are moved in a steel guide frame towed by a tow vehicle. The slide causes the object to collide with the test vehicle, particularly because it is rigid and the slide is several times heavier than the weight of the test object itself, thus risking damage to the test vehicle. In addition, since the rigid rails are located under the test vehicle after the slide is pushed, they prevent the test vehicle from escaping without risk after a collision, which puts the test vehicle at high risk and at the same time (emergency) It will not be available to test the evasion system.

The towing balloon for towing the vehicle is known from DE 71 23 421 U1. When towing, the towing balloon within the vehicle is small so that it can fit together empty and allow air to operate in this towing balloon. It is also possible for the elastic sheath to absorb some of the collision between the towing vehicle and the towing vehicle. However, the distance between the tow vehicle and the vehicle to be towed at this point is quite small and remains essentially constant until it changes slightly in a collision, so it is never possible to maintain a safe distance from the tow vehicle, especially when a vehicle that is to be towed by another vehicle is hit. Can't provide enough.

The present invention basically aims to state a device capable of connecting a target object to a tow vehicle for some test equipment. According to the present invention, first of all, the above-mentioned disadvantages of test equipment known in the art are solved. Avoidance and use of these existing test equipment can be used to test especially avoidance systems.

This problem is solved by the features of the subclaims. Useful forms and developments of the invention are the subject matter of the subclaims, in which individual features may be combined and developed with each other.

The basic idea of the present invention is to flexibly shape the connection or connecting device between the tow vehicle and the target object, in particular flexibly to some degree. The distance between the tow vehicle and the target object can then be adjusted, in particular the length of the connection-the length of the device-to the test speed.

Such connecting devices will in particular have to meet the following requirements:

-Towing of the target target-Traction force

-Ensure a constant distance between the target and the towing vehicle, especially at maximum braking

-Easy to bend in the event of a collision, allowing access to the target and target vehicle

To this end, the device according to the invention has at least two hoses which can be deformed, which are connected longitudinally by at least one connecting member. The hose may or may be connected to the tow vehicle and the target object at the end, i.e. at both ends of the hose by appropriate means, so that at least one hose extends between the tow vehicle and the target object along its length. . The hose or its interior space can then be continuously loaded or under load by hydraulic or pneumatic pressure.

The device according to the invention is used in particular for the connection of a target object with a tow vehicle, in the context of a driving test that tracks a driving situation similar to or collided with a collision between the test vehicle and the target object. In this case, it is preferable that the target object is moved during the driving test, in particular, the object is towed and moved behind the tow vehicle. In this context, hoses are basically used to transfer acceleration from the towing vehicle to the target. In other words, positive acceleration and compression, that is, negative acceleration or braking force, are transmitted from the towing vehicle to the target object.

Hose is therefore used to ensure that the spacing between the two remains constant at the same time when the driving direction of the tow vehicle and the target is stable. For this purpose, the device is equipped with at least two in particular two or three deformable hoses, but it is conceivable that even more particularly ones arranged side by side, which are transverse to the longitudinal direction (7) Are connected to each other by at least one connecting member 8 in the direction. In this arrangement, the stability in the transverse direction is much better than in the case of only one hose.

The hose is then the only connecting device between the towing vehicle and the target object, in particular at least in part, i.e. at least in part of the entire connection between the towing vehicle and the target object and thus the only device that transmits the acceleration force.

In connection with a towing vehicle for the purpose of driving test, the device according to the invention has several advantages over the devices used so far.

The device is basically rigid for traction because it uses deformable hoses that are loaded by pneumatic or hydraulic pressure. Even if the hose is deformed, it will only expand relatively slightly during the acceleration process. This allows a positive acceleration force to be constantly transmitted from the towing vehicle to the target.

At the same time the hose is particularly robust to compression to some extent. If the pressure in the hose internal space is sufficiently strong at a negative acceleration up to a specified load, ie during braking of the towing vehicle, the hose does not squeeze, bend and / or bend. This allows negative acceleration (braking) to some extent, in particular, from the tow vehicle to the target.

In addition, there is an advantage that several hoses lose stability / robustness, starting from a certain load, especially when the test vehicle collides with the target.

This is particularly advantageous when the test vehicle collides with the target object, i.e. in a driving test where the test vehicle collides with the target object moving at a different speed as appropriate. In most cases one or several hoses are bent or bent, thereby squeezing the entire device.

Such a structure, ie the device according to the invention, is thus sufficiently robust to transmit the acceleration or deceleration of the towing vehicle to the target object, for example up to a load limit of 1 g, but with sufficient elasticity that the test vehicle collides with the target object so that Bend when a load is significantly exceeded. This makes it possible to absorb and compensate for strong shocks, especially in crashed driving tests, where the best case is to avoid damage to the test vehicle, tow vehicle and the target, but at least to avoid collision with the tow vehicle. This at the same time contributes to a reduced risk to the driver of the tow vehicle and the test vehicle.

By pushing or bending the deformable hose together, the test vehicle can leave the lane without risk, especially after a collision.

By pushing or bending all of the deformable hoses or couplings together, in particular, no member is under the test vehicle, even in existing systems.

Another part of the advantages of the invention, in particular the connection device according to the invention, which has already been mentioned, is as follows:

-Light weight

-No (hard) members fixed in the collision zone

-Can avoid without risk after collision

-Can be used for driving test using autonomous braking system and avoidance system

-Driving test including deceleration of maximum target target of about 1g is possible (g = gravitational acceleration)

-No components affecting the radar within the target area;

In the scope of the present invention, generally two-dimensional or three-dimensional simulations of any arbitrary traffic participant, in particular a vehicle, a cyclist, an animal and / or a human, are important. In addition, the target may be equipped with one or more sensors, in particular when it collides with the test vehicle, for example to measure load and act on the target during the driving test. The target is a so-called balloon car, such as that used for driving tests, that is, a dummy vehicle mounted on wheels or rollers and capable of moving on the ground of a roadway.

Passenger cars are preferred for towing and test vehicles. At this time, the two vehicles may be vehicles authorized to drive on the highway. The test vehicle is equipped with at least one safety system or (driver's) support system, in particular one of the systems mentioned at the outset, which is tested for driving test purposes.

A hose that can be deformed within the scope of the invention can be understood as a hose-type tissue, in particular a flexible tissue whose length is longer than its width and height and in which the hollow in the internal space of the tissue extends in the longitudinal direction. A hose is understood to be a particularly thin, long tubular, flexible, cylindrical body with an internal space. These hoses are then shaped to accommodate liquid and gaseous and solid materials-at a pressure above atmospheric pressure. The hose may then be equipped with couplings and / or valves at the ends to attract these materials into the interior space and block the interior space.

A hose that can be deformed can be understood as a hose that can be deformed flexible, bent or elastic.

Pneumatic pressurization may in particular be understood as pressurization by means of pressurized gas using compressed air or other gaseous media, and hydraulic pressurization may be understood as pressurization using water or other liquid media.

Means suitable for connecting the ends of the device, in particular one or several hoses that can be modified, can be understood as any means suitable for connecting the device according to the invention with the tow vehicle and the target object at the ends. Examples of such means include hooks, eyes, fastening members, and the like. The device according to the invention may have a holder, such as a trolley and a roller carriage, for example at one end for hooking the trailer coupling of the tow vehicle and at the other end for placing several target objects. If several deformable hoses are arranged side by side in parallel to the device according to the invention, these hoses are further connected at the end to each other via a suitable device, which in turn can be connected to the towing vehicle or target object by suitable means. It can be shaped.

According to a preferred form of the device according to the invention at least one hose that can be deformed is a pressure hose. Pressure hoses are usually made of plastic fabric (polyester) and are rubber inside. The hose is generally flexible and can be folded flat without pressure. This hose has the advantage of saving space when transporting.

According to another preferred form, the device according to the invention has two hoses which can be deformed, which are arranged longitudinally, ie side by side along the length of the hose, in particular parallel to one another and in the transverse direction. It is connected to each other by at least one rigid connection member. The preference here is that these two hoses are arranged parallel to each other at the specified intervals, in which at least one rigid connection member keeps the spacing between the hoses constant.

According to a particular form, the device according to the invention has three hoses which can be deformed, which are arranged longitudinally, ie side by side along the length of the hose, in particular parallel to one another and at least transversely transversely. It is connected to each other by one rigid connecting member. The preference here is that these two hoses are arranged parallel to each other at the specified intervals, in which at least one rigid connection member keeps the spacing between the hoses constant. In addition, the hoses that can be deformed are preferably arranged to be triangular in transverse to the longitudinal direction on the plane. This means that the hose represents the vertex of some imaginary triangle perpendicular to the longitudinal direction on the plane.

In the form of a device according to the invention with two or three deformable hoses arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction, the hoses are connected laterally with respect to the longitudinal direction using several rigid connecting members. Preferably, the connecting members are arranged between the hoses which can be deformed at specified intervals relative to each other in the longitudinal direction. The size of this gap then specifies the weak spot and thus the preferred bending point of the hose.

According to one form of use according to the invention, rollers and / or slide members are mounted on one or several hoses and / or one or several connecting members. The roller or slide member is then used in particular to prevent the hose from sagging and sweeping into the ground of the driveway.

In the form of a device according to the invention, equipped with two or three hoses that can be deformed, the hoses take the form of a hose joint according to another useful form. This means that the hoses should be arranged parallel to one another without any gaps and at the same time joined together. The hoses may then be joined in a bundle by suitable means, for example.

The test equipment according to the present invention includes a towing vehicle and a target object, which is for carrying out a driving test, in particular a driving test which is close to and collides with a collision between the test vehicle and the target object. The target object then takes the form of one of the aforementioned forms by a device.

In one form that may be useful, the test equipment may be in the form of two or more additional guide ropes disposed between the tow vehicle and the target object. This guide rope may in particular be arranged next to the connecting device according to the invention. That is, it may be disposed on the right and left sides of the connecting device in the vertical direction. This guide rope is then used, among other things, to adjust or readjust the trajectory of the target object and / or to pull the target object to the towing vehicle, for example in a crash test. This guide rope is also especially used to avoid the acceleration of the towing vehicle to the target.

Other advantages and selectable forms will be described in the following description and drawings. An exemplary model is shown simplified in the drawings and will be described in detail in the following description.

1 shows a preferred form of test equipment according to the invention,
FIG. 2 shows a form in which a guide rope is mounted as the test equipment according to the present invention shown in FIG. 1,
3a and 3b show various forms of a device according to the invention for connecting a target object and a tow vehicle,
4 shows a view from different directions of the test equipment according to the invention from FIG. 1, FIG.
5 shows a useful form of the device according to the invention for connecting a target object and a tow vehicle,
6a and 6b show the form and behavior of the test equipment according to the invention during the driving test;

1 shows a preferred form of test equipment according to the invention. This test equipment performs driving tests between the test vehicle 7 (not shown in Fig. 1 but shown in Figs. 6A and 6B) and the target object 1, in particular, running tests which are close to the collision and collide with each other. Used to. In this case, the target object 1 is a dummy vehicle. The dummy vehicle is essentially rectangular in shape, with at least one side of the fuselage exhibiting its own characteristics, preferably on the rear side (2). Vehicle-specific features mean, for example, reflectors, lighting devices and / or vehicle license plates. The test equipment includes a tow vehicle 3 in addition to the target object 1. In this case, the tow vehicle 3 is a passenger car. The target object 1 and the towing vehicle 3 are connected to each other by a connecting device 4 according to the invention. The device 4 is equipped with at least one hose 5 according to the invention, which is connected at the end 6 with the tow vehicle 3 and the target object 1 via suitable means. In this case, the device 4 is equipped with two hoses 5, in particular two pressure hoses or two fabric hoses, and the internal space is pressurized by compressed air by compressed air. The hoses 5 are arranged parallel to one another in the longitudinal direction X and are connected to one another across the longitudinal direction X using several rigid connecting members 8 (not shown in detail in FIG. 1). It is. The connecting members 8 are then arranged between the hoses 5, which can be deformed at intervals relative to each other in the longitudinal direction X, in each of which the hoses 5 sag into the ground of the driveway and are swept away. The roller 11 used to prevent that is attached.

In the driving test dimension, the test equipment according to the present invention can be used to tow the target object 1 behind the tow vehicle using the connecting device 4 according to the present invention. The device 4 is then basically used to transmit the acceleration force of the tow vehicle 3 to the target object 1. A test vehicle 7, which is likewise a passenger car, can also be followed behind the target object 1, in which case the test vehicle 7 has a radar sensor that emits a radar beam 16 and a (emergency) auxiliary brake mill, for example. And / or one or more sensors 15 are mounted to measure the surroundings, such as an auxiliary avoidance device. The test equipment according to the invention can be used to simulate a driving situation close to or actually colliding with the test vehicle and the target object 1 and to investigate the response of the support system mounted on the test vehicle.

The basic advantage of the test equipment according to the invention and the connection device 4 according to the invention is that the device 4 aims at deceleration and acceleration of the tow vehicle 3, in particular because it uses a hose 5 under pressure. The point is that the vehicle is delivered to the object 1 but nevertheless is sufficiently flexible to bend when the test vehicle collides with the target object 1 as can be seen in FIGS. 6A and 6B. As a result, it is possible to absorb and compensate a strong shock, especially in a crashed driving test, and it is preferable that no damage occurs to the test vehicle and the tow vehicle 1. This at the same time contributes to a reduced risk to the driver of the tow vehicle 3 and the test vehicle. By pushing together the deformable hoses of the device 4, the test vehicle can leave the lane without risk, especially after a collision has occurred. By pushing the deformable hose of the connecting device 4 in particular no member is under the test vehicle, as is the case in existing systems. The other basic advantages of the test equipment according to the invention and the connecting device 4 according to the invention have already been mentioned at the beginning of the description above, and thus will not need to be repeated here. The distance in the longitudinal direction X and thus the length of the device 4 can be arbitrarily defined as shown in FIG. 1, for example 15 m.

FIG. 2 is a detailed view of a portion of the test equipment according to the invention, shown in FIG. 1. The target object 1 is shown here, which is arranged on the roller 9 and connected with the connecting device 4 according to the invention. The device 4 for connecting the target object 1 to the towing vehicle 3 (not shown in FIG. 2) has a deformable hose, in this case under the pressure of compressed air, according to the description of FIG. 1. (5) is equipped with two. The hoses 5 are arranged side by side in parallel in the longitudinal direction X, ie along their length, and are connected to each other by means of several connecting members 8. In FIG. 2 the connecting member 8 is in the form of a wooden board, for example, which is joined with the hose 5 via a cable tie 10. The roller 11 is also attached to the connecting member 8.

In addition to FIG. 1 a useful form of test equipment according to the invention is shown in FIG. 2, ie how the direction of movement of the target object 1 is added by two or more guide ropes 12 mounted on the side. Is shown. Guide ropes 12 are arranged on both sides of the hose 5 of the connecting device 4. By pulling on one of the two guide ropes 12, the target object 1 or the direction of movement of the object can be further guided and adjusted again. For example, it is possible to pull the target object 1 to the towing vehicle 3 via the guide rope 12 also to pull the target object 1 out of the collision zone.

3a and 3b show two different arrangements of the device 4 according to the invention, which connect the target object 1 to the tow vehicle 3. This figure shows how the hose 5 may be arranged when it is displayed in plan view across the longitudinal direction X, ie across the longitudinal direction of the hose 5. The figure on the left shows that three hoses 5 are arranged such that the hose 5 is an imaginary (upper) triangle transverse to the longitudinal direction X in the plane, in which case the hose 5 is a triangle (13). ) Is the vertex of. The figure on the right shows that the two hoses 5 are arranged side by side, ie at the same height and at the same distance to the ground of the driveway.

Figure 4 shows the form of the test equipment according to the invention shown in Figure 1 or 2 seen from another direction. In this case, the test equipment has the same structure as the description of FIGS. 1 and 2.

5 shows the form of a device 4 according to the invention, which connects a target object 1 to a tow vehicle 3. The device 4 then has the same structure as the description of FIGS. 1 and 2. Two hoses 5 with valves or closure members 14 are shown in detail in FIG. 5, through which valves or closure members can be applied pneumatically or hydraulically.

6A and 6B are diagrams schematically showing the behavior when the test vehicle 7 and the target object 1 collide before colliding (FIG. 6A) during the driving test (FIG. 6B). In this example model, three hoses 5 are planned in such a way that the cross section is arranged in a triangular form in accordance with FIG. 3b, in which all four are fixed via four connecting members 8, between the connecting members 8. The intervals X1 and X2 are different, and the interval determines the total length X (T0) between the tow vehicle 3 and the target object 1. The test vehicle 7 is equipped with a sensor 15 for measuring the periphery and a driver assistance system in charge of the near area of the target object 1 so that the test vehicle is able to see this area as briefly shown by the rays 16. Measure In this case, however, the speed of the test vehicle 7 is significantly different from that of the tow vehicle 3, so that the protective measures operated are not sufficient and the test vehicle 7 will collide with the target object 1. Such collisions should be prevented during normal vehicle operation, but the driving test conducted here indicates that by overcontrolling the intervention of the support system, it is possible to test the response of the secondary system immediately before and during such a collision. To emphasize once more.

As clearly shown in FIG. 6B, as the test vehicle 7 collides, the hose 5 receives more load than the specified load so that the hose 5 bends laterally in the form shown here as ΔY or It slips, which makes it possible to avoid the target object 1 in the longitudinal direction ΔX2 and in the transverse direction ΔY2, in which the overall length X (T1) of the device 4 is appropriately reduced by this pushing. Due to this, when the test vehicle 7 collides with the target object 1, only a very small amount of force is additionally applied to the target object, thus preventing significant damage.

1 target
2 Sidewall of the target target
3 towing vehicle
4 connecting devices
5 hose that can be deformed
6 End connection
7 test vehicle
8 connecting member
9 rollers (target target)
10 cable ties
11 roller (connection member)
12 guide rope
13 virtual triangles
14 sealing member
15 Perimeter measurement sensor in the driver assistance system
16 Rays of the ambient measuring sensor
X portrait / travel direction
Y horizontal / horizontal axis
Z vertical axis

Claims (8)

An apparatus (4) for connecting a target object (1) with a towing vehicle (3) so as to perform a functional test on a driver assistance system of a test vehicle (7) to execute a driving test,
The device can be connected to the tow vehicle 3 and the target object 1 by suitable means at the end 6 and is basically used to transmit the acceleration force of the tow vehicle 3 to the target object 1. Is equipped with at least one hose (5)
Pressure may be applied hydraulically or pneumatically to the internal space of the at least one deformable hose 5,
The device is also equipped with at least two deformable hoses 5 which are connected to one another in the transverse direction Y with respect to the longitudinal direction X by at least one connecting member 8. (4) devices for connecting to tow vehicles. The method of claim 1,
A device (4) for connecting a target object with a tow vehicle, wherein the hoses are arranged at least partially parallel to each other in the longitudinal direction (X). The method of claim 1,
Equipped with three hoses 5 which can be deformed,
The deformable hose 5 connects the target objects with the tow vehicle, which are arranged with respect to each other in the form of a triangle 13 on a plane YZ extending transverse to the longitudinal direction X. Device (4). The method of claim 2,
The hose 5, which can be deformed, is connected transversely with respect to the longitudinal direction 7 by means of several connecting members 8,
The device (4) for connecting the target object with the tow vehicle, characterized in that the connecting member (8) is arranged at a specified interval (X1, X2) in the longitudinal direction (7). The method of claim 1,
Apparatus (4) for connecting a target object with a tow vehicle, characterized in that at least one connecting member (8), with a roller (11) and / or a slide member, is directed to the driveway. As test equipment for executing a functional test on a driver assistance system of a test vehicle 7 to execute a driving test,
This equipment has a towing vehicle (3) and a target (1),
A functional test of the driver assistance system of the test vehicle, characterized in that the target object 1 is connected with the tow vehicle 3 by means of the device 4 according to claim 1. Testing equipment performing. The method of claim 6,
Test equipment for carrying out a functional test on a driver assistance system of a test vehicle, characterized in that two or more additional guide ropes (12) are arranged between the tow vehicle (3) and the target object (1). The method of claim 6,
The hose 5 is rigid up to the load specified for the towing and / or pressure load applied between the towing vehicle 3 and the target object 1,
The test vehicle, which is characterized in that when the specified load is exceeded, the hose 5 is bent and / or bent in the transverse direction Y with respect to the running direction X such that the device 4 is compressed in the running direction X. Test equipment to run functional tests on the driver assistance system.

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